McGregor: Celts want to stamp their authority on Anderlecht game

CALLUM McGregor says Celtic will look to stamp their authority on their final UEFA Champions League game of the season when they meet Anderlecht at Paradise tomorrow night (Tuesday).

Brendan Rodgers' side currently sit third in Group B and are well-positioned to meet their goal of securing European football after Christmas thanks to their impressive 3-0 win over Anderlecht in Brussels earlier in the competition. And McGregor insists Celtic are determined to try and replicate their dominant victory in Brussels.

“We need to go and stamp our authority on this game tomorrow night and not just sit back and defend a 3-0 lead,” McGregor told the media at Lennoxtown today.

“We’ve been at our best when we’ve done that and I think it’s important for our mindset to go and take the game to them. We’re looking forward to it. We’ve recovered well over the weekend and we’ve prepared properly so we’re ready to go.”

The Hoops midfielder was quick to acknowledge that Anderlecht have improved their form since Hein Vanhaezebrouck took up the managerial duties in early October, but pointed out that Celtic have also improved since the two sides last met.

“We know that they’ve picked up since then and we know they’re coming to try and get those three goals back," he said, "so we’re anticipating an exciting game and we need to be defensively on it and go and stamp our authority on the game as well.

“I think we are getting better at this level. We’ve conceded a few goals but ultimately our performances have been better and more stable. I think we’ve progressed and tomorrow will show that if we can get the result.

“For us to go away and win 3-0 away from home is a tough ask. It gives us confidence that we can go and get a result. It’s a single game for us and our mind-set is going to win the game and going to play attacking football. We don’t think about the previous result and just focus on tomorrow night as one game."